Off-road Motorcycles
Use of off-road motorcycles in bayfield county
The legal use of off-road motorcycles (dirt bikes) in Bayfield County is limited. Off-road motorcycles are not classified as ATVs, but as motorcycles. Motorcycles operated on public roadways are subject to registration, headlights and tail lamps, exhaust, proof of insurance, driver’s license, motorcycle endorsement, and all other applicable motor vehicle laws. Citations issued to motorcycle operators may affect driving record and DOT point assessments.
Off-road motorcycles (dirt bikes) are illegal to be operated on:
- public highways, roadways, or forest roads; even if posted as an ATV route.
- Bayfield County Forest Land or any trail in the Bayfield County Forest.
- ATV trails on private property.
- private property without consent of the owner.
Off-road motorcycles may be operated on the Tri County Corridor, ATV trails on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, and on private property with the owner’s consent.
On-road/off-road motorcycles may operate on roadways, if motorcycle and operator meet requirements of motor vehicle laws, and may operate on ATV trails on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
Motorcycles operated in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest must also have USFS approved exhaust and spark arrestor.